James Beard Award semifinalists announced

Five Wisconsin chefs and three others with Wisconsin roots have made the cut as semifinalists for the culinary world's prestigious James Beard Awards.

Nominated both for best chef: Midwest and rising star chef of the year -- for chefs under 30 -- is Justin Aprahamian, chef de cuisine at Sanford, 1547 N. Jackson St.

Also nominated for best chef: Midwest are Dan Van Rite of Hinterland, 222 E. Erie St.; Tory Miller of L'Etoile in Madison; Justin Carlisle of 43 North in Madison; and Jim Webster of Wild Rice, Bayfield.

Other semifinalists with Wisconsin connections include:

Tony Mantuano, a Kenosha native who owns Mangia there, nominated for outstanding chef for his work at Spiaggia in Chicago, where he is executive chef and part owner. Spiaggia also is nominated for outstanding restaurant.

Michael White, a Beloit native who started his career working under Paul Bartolotta at Spiaggia, nominated for best chef: New York for his work at Marea.

Alex Seidel, a Racine native, nominated for best chef: Southwest for his Fruition restaurant in Denver. Seidel was one of Food & Wine magazine's best new chefs of 2010.

The finalists will be announced March 21 in Portland, Ore., and winners will be announced on May 9 in New York.